REVIEW: Ockham’s Razor Tess at Peacock Theatre 1 – 3 February 2024 and on tour

‘A tale of female empowerment exuding humor, delicacy, and physical prowess.’ ★★★★½

Welcome to a faraway land that seems to be inhabited by fairies. There’s something dreamlike in how we meet “Tess”, our protagonist and narrator for the night. The ethereal quality of the encounter with Tess unfolds under the morning light, with a poignant quote from Hardy's literary work projected at the backdrop. The musical compositions and meticulously crafted soundscapes by Holly Khan elevate the emotional peaks and valleys of Tess's self-discovery.

Before delving into the narrative, it's essential to applaud the exceptional contributions of Set and Costume Design by Tina Bicât and Lighting Design by Aideen Malone. Their artistry paints mesmerizing landscapes and evokes powerful imagery that lingers in the viewer's mind. A personal preference of mine is for the set to be organic, and seamlessly integrated into the performance rather than merely serving a decorative purpose. Every element on the stage, from wooden planks to ropes, clothing pieces to nails, serves a purpose in constructing Tess's vivid world.

Following the revelation of Tess Durbeyfield's noble lineage to her impoverished family, she is dispatched by her lethargic father and uninformed mother to seek favor from the affluent d'Urberville family. The narrative takes a dark turn as the naive Tess, both attractive and innocent, becomes entangled with the dissolute heir, Alec d'Urberville. The subsequent events, including a tragic secret childbirth, unveil a tumultuous saga.

Without divulging too much of the plot, I encourage audiences to witness this magnificent show, segmented into seven captivating chapters tracing Tess's journey from her maiden days to the realization of her destiny.

The brilliance of "Ockham's Razor" lies in its ability to infuse playfulness and humor into a narrative that could easily succumb to melodrama. Scenes such as Tess's playful moments at the Dairy farm, the artful depiction of her journey using planks, and the mesmerizing choreography of Tess riding a horse, flawlessly executed by Nathan Johnston, showcase the company's prowess.

The ensemble of "Ockham's Razor" comprises robust and dynamic performers seamlessly blending physical theatre, circus skills, and dance to narrate this empowering tale of a woman. A minor technical hiccup includes occasional microphone echoes affecting the narrator's clarity and font choices in the projections, which could have been more reader-friendly.

In conclusion, "Tess" is a theatrical experience that will leave you breathless, in sheer awe of the remarkable work brought to life by the talented team at "Ockham's Razor."

Ockham’s Razor Tess

Thursday 1st of to Saturday 3rd of February - 7:30 pm,

The Peacock Theatre

Portugal St, London WC2A 2HT

Tickets are available at https://www.sadlerswells.com/whats-on/ockhams-razor-tess/

Following the run at The peacock, Tess is about to embark on a tour all around the UK.

All tour info can be found here: https://ockhamsrazor.co.uk/tess

Cast: Macadie Amoroso, Joshua Frazer, Lauren Jamieson, Lila Naruse, Victoria Skillen, Leah Wallings, Nat Whittingham

Directors Alex Harvey and Charlotte Mooney, Ockham’s Razor

Producer Alison King, Turtle Key Arts

Images by Kie Cummings

Reviewed by Jess Gonzalez